Istanbul
Turkey
Where East meets West — mosques, bazaars, and Bosphorus sunsets
About Istanbul
Istanbul straddles two continents and thousands of years of history. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Grand Bazaar sit alongside trendy rooftop bars and a thriving food scene. The Bosphorus strait adds a dramatic backdrop to one of the world's most storied cities.
Quick Facts
Best Time
April – May, September – November
Language
Turkish
Currency
TRY (₺)
Timezone
TRT (UTC+3)
Avg Budget
$50–100/day
Top Things to Do
6 must-see experiences in Istanbul
Hagia Sophia
Architectural marvel that spent centuries as a church, then mosque, then museum, now mosque again
Grand Bazaar
One of the world's oldest covered markets with 4,000+ shops
Blue Mosque
Stunning Ottoman-era mosque with six minarets and intricate blue Iznik tiles
Bosphorus Cruise
Sail between Europe and Asia with views of palaces, forts, and bridges
Topkapi Palace
Ottoman sultan's residence with treasury, harem, and stunning Bosphorus views
Turkish Breakfast
Epic spread of cheeses, olives, eggs, honey, and fresh bread
3-Day Sample Itinerary
A taste of what TripGenie can create — fully customized to your preferences.
Day 1: Sultanahmet
- Morning at Hagia Sophia
- Visit the Blue Mosque
- Lunch at a lokanta
- Explore Topkapi Palace
- Turkish bath (hamam) experience
Day 2: Bazaars & Bosphorus
- Morning shopping at the Grand Bazaar
- Visit the Spice Bazaar
- Afternoon Bosphorus ferry cruise
- Dinner in Karaköy
Day 3: Asian Side & Farewell
- Ferry to Kadıköy on the Asian side
- Explore the food market and street art
- Turkish breakfast spread
- Farewell sunset from Galata Tower
Travel Tips for Istanbul
Get an Istanbulkart for transit — it works on ferries, trams, metro, and buses.
Remove your shoes before entering mosques. Women should bring a headscarf.
Use the public ferries for Bosphorus views — they're a fraction of the cost of tourist cruises.
Turkish tea is offered everywhere and refusing is considered impolite. Embrace it!
Ready for Istanbul?
TripGenie creates a personalized Istanbul itinerary in 60 seconds — completely free and tailored to your style.
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